Ayoung adult is exposed to a virus that infects and replicates in mucosal epithelial cells of the upper respiratory tract. one component of the protective immune response to this viral infection is mediated by cd8 cytolytic t lymphocytes (ctls), which recognize and kill virus-infected cells. the ctls can recognize and kill the infected cells because

The CTL has specific receptors that can recognize infected or damaged cells.

Explanation:

The cytotoxic T cells (CTL) is a type of white blood cells that specifically helps in destroying virus-infected cells (also damaged cells and cancer cells).

This type of cells has a special receptor called T-cells receptors (TCR) which ones recognize specific antigens (molecule that stimulate the immune systems because are “strange” to them). Virus inside a cell could bind to a special molecule called class I MHC, this molecule moves the virus to the surface of the cell where it can be recognized by a CD8+ specific antigen-receptor of the CTL.